Technology
The 4 travel essentials I can’t live without
Let’s face it: traveling is stressful. So whether you’re going a few miles further or to the other side of the planet, it’s crucial that you prepare effectively.
If you’re going abroad, I don’t need to tell you to bring suitable clothing, sun protection or a passport. And by reading this article, I’m assuming you already have a reliable smartphone and travel adapters to charge your tech while you’re away.
(If not, check out our roundups of the best smartphones and best travel adapters for inspiration.)
However, the focus of this article is on four items that I personally use almost every time I spend a night away from home. Although much of my travel is for work, these gadgets have near-universal appeal.
Portable laptop charger
If you plan on taking your laptop with you on trips, a portable charger is a must.
The problem is that the portable phone charger you already have probably isn’t powerful enough to charge your laptop, so you need one designed specifically for the task.
There are plenty of options available, but the one I use is the Anker 737 PowerCore 24K, which combines a compact design with a large 24,000 mAh capacity. For context, that’s enough to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra almost five times.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The important thing here, though, is that it can fully charge almost any laptop with capacity to spare. And with Power Delivery 3.1 support, it can reach speeds of 140W for both input and output.
My work laptop has terrible battery life, so this has saved me more than once. Without that I simply couldn’t do my job.
Noise canceling headphones
If you’ve ever been on a noisy train or plane, you know the value of noise-cancelling headphones.
Being able to suppress the noise around me has been a gift from heaven several times. It has allowed me to focus on my work when I need to, or get some much needed rest.
I often wear them without music playing, but noise cancellation makes for a more immersive sound. You can of course connect via Bluetooth, but the 3.5mm jack makes them compatible with almost all onboard entertainment systems.
Personally, I use the PuroPro headphones that I reviewed a few years ago. They combine decent sound quality with solid noise cancellation, excellent comfort and decent battery life.
However, for the best noise canceling experience, I would recommend the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
E-reader
An e-reader is a useful gadget for any book lover, allowing you to store thousands of volumes on one device.
But its effects are magnified when traveling, where you can’t access your bookshelves or local library for physical books.
I find reading a useful way to wind down before bed, but it can also help pass the time on long flights or when you need a break from the color screens. The e-ink technology used on e-readers is known to be easier on your eyes.
My current favorite e-reader is the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which is long-lasting and supports audiobooks through Audible.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
However, a Kobo may be a better choice for you, especially if you want to access e-books from your local library.
Alarm clock
If you’ve read my article about my favorite piece of technology in recent years, you know that I’m a fan of a physical alarm clock.
That continues to be the case when traveling, partly because I’m paranoid about my phone battery dying and me not waking up. But a mains powered light alarm is of course not suitable, so I use a small portable one instead.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
This Tisaika model is cheap, fairly durable, and powered by a single AA battery. His hands glow in the dark, and crucially for me, he doesn’t bother me with a tapping sound.
With these four items in my bag, my travel experience is more enjoyable and less stressful than it would otherwise be.
